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 Highlights
from Monday, 4 September
The week of informal
meetings preceding the formal thirteenth sessions of the subsidiary bodies
(SB-13) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC) began
on Monday afternoon, 4 September, with an initial briefing by the Chairs
of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI) and the Subsidiary Body
on Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) and the Executive Secretary
of the FCCC Secretariat. Following this, informal meetings were convened
to consider: guidelines under Protocol Articles 5 (methodological issues),
7 (communication of information) and 8 (review of information); the Kyoto
Protocol mechanisms; and land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF).
[Above]
The French, UN and Lyon flags outside the Cité Internationale de
Lyon.
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In
the afternoon, delegates met for an initial briefing to go over
logistics and the schedule proposed by the SBI and SBSTA Presidents
for the week of informals. SBSTA President Harold Dovland reported
on intersessional activities and the status of negotiations
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[Above]
The dias from left to right: Richard Kinley, Secretary of the
COP; Michael Zammit Cutajar, UNFCCC Executive Secretary; (SBSTA
Coordinator), Harold Dovland, SBSTA President; John Ashe, SBI
President; (SBI Coordinator); Tahar Hadj-Sadok, UNFCCC Deputy
Executive Secretary, and Janos Pastor, Coordinator, UNFCCC.
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SBSTA
President Harold Dovland (Norway), and SBI President John Ashe (Antigua
and Barbuda).
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 FCCC
Executive Secretary Michael Zammit Cutajar [right] thanked
the French government and city of Lyon for its invitation to host
SB-13. He expressed regret at the passing of two prominent figures
in climate change negotiations: Jean Ripert of France, who chaired
the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee that resulted in the
adoption of the FCCC in 1992; and Shukong Zhong, Special Advisor
on Environmental Issues in China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
RealAudio of Zammit Cutajar's speech
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[Left]
Nigeria, on behalf of the G-77/China, expressed concern at the
late availability and distribution of documents, which affected
developing country preparation and participation. He said all
official documents for COP-6 should be available well in advance
of the meeting. He stressed the need to achieve a balanced package
of agreements that reflects the priorities of all Parties.
[Right]
Harold Dovland and John Ashe speak with the delegate
of Nigeria, who is representing the G-77/China
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Burkina Faso
reiterated the complaint made by Nigeria, on behalf of the G-77/China,
regarding translation and requested that non-English speaking participants
be allowed to re-open matters during the second week of meetings
in Lyon.
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Informal
Meeting on Mechanisms
The
Secretariat gave a presentation on the proposed Clean Development
Mechanism (CDM) Reference Manual and Accreditation. His presentation
on the Reference Manual included a description of what the Reference
Manual is, the project cycle, a draft outline of the Reference
Manual and its use. The presentation on Accreditation included
discussion on standards and issues regarding accreditation of
certification bodies (designation of operational entities) and
standards under the CDM. Delegates responded to the Secretariat's
proposal. IGOs and NGOs also made general statements on mechanisms,
particularly the CDM.
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SAUDI
ARABIA highlighted the political nature of CDM-related decisions,
urged that decisions on baselines be undertaken by the COP/MOP,
and expressed reservations about the need for a Reference Manual.
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In
the corridors...
On an unremarkable
opening day, a number of observers suggested that delegates had made a
comfortable if slow- paced start, resuming from where they had left-off
at SB-12 and subsequent consultations. Several delegates expressed concern
at this apparent lack of urgency, given that COP-6 is now close. The strong
position taken by the G-77/China over logistical considerations that might
impact developing country participation caused some to question how much
will be achieved prior to COP-6.
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